1163: Thursday, May 25, 2023

You’re invited to a newly “re-starting up” Spirituality Group!

You’re invited to a newly “re-starting up” Spirituality Group!

One of the suggestions that arose from our recent Retreat Days, was to offer more small local, group gatherings.

So, if you are interested in getting together, once a month, to discuss with others those things that help you to see a wider and deeper spiritual dimension of your life, then this Spirituality Group might be just for you!

The format is pretty simple: We’ll start with an Opening Prayer; Questions for reflection based on the reading and image presented will be offered, but are optional; time for each person to share for about 5 to 6 minutes; followed by 2 minutes of silence; followed by 3 to 4 minutes of Personal Sharing again; and ending with silence and a Closing Prayer.

Victoria will be our facilitator. An example of a handout that Victoria will prepare each month for the group is presented below.If you are interested, please RSVP, and plan now to come on Monday, June 5th!

WHEN: The first Monday afternoon of each month, starting Monday, June 5th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

LOCATION: 243 Pitt Ave.

Sebastopol, CA 95472

RSVP to: Victoria MacDonald at:

925-451-8180 or

victoriamacd2012@gmail.com

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE of the Monthly Handout for the Spirituality Group

Format:

• Opening Prayer

• Questions (optional) for Reflection:

• How is it that you have come to view “the empty tomb?” Are there ways that you let go or refuse to cling, so that “what is new” can bless you?

• In the course of an ordinary day, are there moments when you can say, that you are “utterly astonished?”

• Faith Sharing (5-6 minutes each):

• Silence: 2 minutes

• Personal Sharing: (3-4 minutes each). Share how observing the group faith-sharing has impacted your own spiritual/faith journey (not commenting on others, or other’s issues; but rather, what surfaced within you).

• Silence: 2 minutes

• Closing Prayer

Poem for you:

I never suspected Resurrection and to be so painful to leave me weeping With joy to have met you, alive and smiling, outside an empty tomb With regret not because I’ve lost you but because I’ve lost you in how I had you--- in understandable, touchable, kissable, clingable flesh not as fully Lord, but as graspable human. I want to cling, despite your protest cling to your body cling to your, and my, clingable humanity cling to what we had, our past. But I know that...if I cling you cannot ascend and I will be left clinging to your former self ...unable to receive your present spirit.

“Mary Magdala’s Easter Prayer” Forgotten Among the Lilies Ronald Rolheiser

“...And something ignited in my soul, fever or unremembered wings, and I went my own way, deciphering that burning fire.” - Pablo Neruda

Here is a flyer and an example of a monthly handout by Victoria to announce the Spirituality Group: (please download the attached flyer in PDF format and share!